doiSerbia

Were the Sclavinias states?

Đekić Đorđe (Faculty of Philosophy, Niš)

Literature has thus far denied that the Sclavinias, established in the 7th century, were states. Various terms have been used to denominate them (e.g. formations), but they have not been precisely defined. Considering that a state consists of three elements: government, territory and population, this paper shows that the Sclavinias had their rulers as early as late 4th century, and we know them by their names in the second half of the 6th century (Daurentius, Musokios, Ardagast and Peiragastos). Musokios is called a rex, which a title of sovereignty. There may even have been a dynasty (Idarisios and his sons, Mezamiros and Kelagastes). There is a record of a term ‘Ardagast’s land’, which points to a fact that the lands which Ardagast ruled over were quite definite. The rulers exercised their authority over a certain population which is evident from the term ‘subjects’ used to denote the population subjected to Musokios. There is even an assumption that there was the fourth element of state, a name, which constitutes a part of the state subjects’ identity. Based upon an analysis, it has been concluded that the states were named after their rulers and not after the lands or ethnic characteristics. Therefore, a conclusion can be drawn that the Sclavinias were states.

Keywords: Sclavinias, Slavs, statehood, elements of state